Upper Lip Lift
There are a number of particular surgeries that satisfy a sweet spot in facial aesthetics. Focused surgeries that involve low down time, minimal discomfort, provide impactful results, and are able to be completed in the office under local anesthesia. One of Dr. Pontell and Dr. Weng’s favorites among these kinds of procedures is the upper lip lift.
The upper lip lift procedure has become popular recently for good reason. For patients who are good candidates, it can help enhance the lip without overvolumizing (as sometimes can happen with injectables). And in the aging face, it can really play an important role in rejuvenation as we have learned the upper lip elongates with time.
Improve the shape and fullness of your upper lip with an effective procedure that can replace the need for fillers and achieve a more youthful, proportionate smile. A lip lift can beautifully unfurl the upper lip to reveal an attractive, full lip shape.
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Achieve Lasting Lip Symmetry
Many people rely on facial fillers or BOTOX® Cosmetic to enhance the appearance of the mouth. While they are certainly effective, fillers and BOTOX® injections are temporary and can only do so much. A lip lift achieves proper proportion between the upper lip and the rest of the mouth and facial features, creating beautiful symmetry and lip fullness. Results are so long-lasting they can be thought of as permanent.
Why Choose Dr. Pontell and Dr. Weng?
Dr. Jonathan Pontell is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in procedures such as lip lifts. With 27 years of experience, he is an authority in the field of facial plastic surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, holding membership with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Catherine Weng is also extensively experienced with lip lift procedures and many other treatment options, and she holds dual board-certifications, as well. Her expertise and exemplary approach to care can help patients achieve excellent results.
Our state-of-the-art Aesthetic Facial Plastic Surgery Center provides a luxurious, comfortable experience for patients in the Main Line suburbs of Philadelphia. With Dr. Pontell and Dr. Weng, the aesthetic journey for patients is customized, understanding, and detailed, typically resulting in stunning outcomes that appear natural and nuanced.
Patients find relief in knowing they are in the hands of an expert who values the patient experience. Not only do Dr. Pontell and Dr. Weng focus on providing the highest-quality results, but they also make it a priority to be accessible for patients and to serve as a guiding hand throughout the entire treatment and recovery experience.
What Is a Lip Lift?
A lip lift is a surgical procedure that shortens the skin between your upper lip and nose and unfurls the upper lip, enhancing its shape and size. The surgery also refines the upper lip shape into more of a cupid’s bow. A lip lift can produce a more balanced appearance in harmony with the rest of the face, making the overall appearance more youthful and appealing.
What Are the Benefits of a Lip Lift?
The upper lip lift procedure is definitely one that can give a great return on investment in terms of amazing results with minimal discomfort and downtime. This treatment offers a variety of benefits, including:
- A full, appealing upper lip
- Can minimize the need to have repeated BOTOX® injections or filler treatments on the lips
- Results can be very natural-looking
- Rejuvenates the upper lip area for a more proportionate and youthful facial appearance
- Helps achieve an attractive smile that shows the upper teeth
- Is considered a permanent lip enhancement
- Quick procedure with minimal downtime and a short recovery period
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for a Lip Lift?
Patients who want a more permanent lip enhancement without depending on fillers or BOTOX® Cosmetic are likely candidates for a lip lift in Philadelphia. Ideal candidates are typically those who can meet the following requirements:
- Are in good health
- Have no serious medical concerns
- Do not smoke
- Have an increased distance between the red of the upper lip and the nose
- Have realistic expectations for what a lip lift can achieve
What Does Lip Lift Surgery Correct?
Genetics or age can cause the upper lip to partially cover your teeth when you smile, resulting in a smile that looks unusual or causes an older appearance.
Additionally, when the red of the upper lip begins to curve inward, the lip can look thinner, and the appearance of your smile can change. A lip lift can effectively resolve the following concerns:
- Sagging upper lip
- Curving or rolling inward of the upper lip
- A thin upper lip
- A smile partly covered by a drooping upper lip
- A disproportionate or lengthening distance between the upper lip and the nose
What Does the Lip Lift Procedure Involve?
You know the old saying: “Measure twice and cut once”? That is a thousand times true for this procedure. The incision is designed as a curved line at the base of the nose. It curves to the edge of the nostrils, and beneath the columella. We measure the height of the cutaneous upper lip from the base of the nose to where the pink lip begins and, based on this measurement, decide how much skin should be removed. This typically ends up being between 4-7 mm, but no more than 1/3 of the total height of the upper lip. Then the lower part of the incision is marked with a second curved line parallel to the first in the middle and tapering at the corners.
After the skin is cleaned, numbed, and prepped, the incisions are made carefully along the twice-measured lines. The excess skin is removed. And the remaining skin is sewn back together. We use both dissolvable stitches beneath the surface, and stitches that need to be removed a week later on the skin surface.
Lip lift treatments can be performed on an outpatient basis. Local anesthesia is injected into the upper lip area to increase patient comfort during the procedure.
What Can I Expect During Lip Lift Recovery?
While there is a little bit of swelling following the lip lift procedure, results can be noticed almost immediately. Sutures are removed one week later. Typically, bruising and swelling is resolved at approximately one to two weeks and patients are able to get back to regular exercise after two weeks.
Most individuals are able to resume sedentary work and many of their usual activities quickly. Please be sure to keep your incision clean and use the prescribed antibacterial ointment as directed for the first week.
What Procedures Can Be Combined With a Lip Lift?
A lip lift pairs well with a number of other facial procedures because it is a simple, short surgery. Common procedures combined with lip lift surgery include facelift, brow lift, rhinoplasty, neck lift, and eyelid surgery. If you’re interested in a combination procedure, Dr. Pontell or Dr. Weng will discuss these options during your consultation.
